The inaugural Run For Rhys event takes place on August 27 at Croxteth Hall and Country Park.

The parents of Rhys Jones are taking part in a new legacy family fun run being staged to celebrate the life of the Liverpool youngster.

Run For Rhys is being organised by the team behind the Rhys Jones Community Centre CIC in Croxteth.

The centre first opened in August 2013 as a community hub, with a focus to raise aspirations, give hope and strengthen community unity in Croxteth.

Everton fan Rhys was 11-years-old when his life was devastatingly cut short on 22 August 2007 – just weeks before his 12^th birthday. Rhys was shot walking home from football training in Croxteth after innocently being caught in the cross-fire between two rival gangs.

Run For Rhys participants can choose from three distances covering 1 mile, 3K or 5K – with the first fun run on the day starting at 10am.

Mel and Steve Jones commented: “Run For Rhys is a positive way to celebrate Rhys’ life and is a fitting legacy in his name – it’s going to be an inspirational day. Rhys was never seen without a football at his feet, he was very sporty and would have been first on the start line.

“The Rhys Jones Community Centre CIC is a vital part of the community. We cannot thank the team enough for their continuing hard work and vision to take the centre forward.

“Losing a child in such devastating circumstances is something that no-one should ever go through. It’s something we will never get over. You take one day at a time and learn to cope in different ways. It’s been a long, tiring and difficult 10 years. But throughout the last decade we’ve continued to receive incredible support from the people of Liverpool and beyond. It means the world to us as a family, we really cannot thank people enough.”

Rhys Jones Community Centre CIC is working with independent race event organiser BTR Liverpool to organise and deliver the fun run day.

Run For Rhys will be held in the grounds of Croxteth Country Hall and Park, with the start and finish line area being outside the main hall, with family activities taking place in the grounds.

Fun run registration fees pay to stage and deliver all aspects of the event. Participants are encouraged to fundraise for the Rhys Jones Community Centre CIC to support its important work and community initiatives.

Sponsor forms are available, or donations can be made direct to the centre’s Go Fund Me page at https://www.gofundme.com/run-for-rhys-5k-legacy-event